Download a sample letter
We would welcome hearing why you chose cornea donation for your loved one. If you would like to share your story or volunteer your time, please contact the Family Services Coordinator at 206-682-8500 x 125 or toll-free at 1-800-847-5786.
Writing to Cornea Recipients
The decision to write to your loved one's transplant recipient is a very personal choice. You may choose to share information about yourself and your loved one with the transplant recipient. Some have found such sharing to be helpful in the grieving process. It may help to know that transplant recipients consistently express appreciation for the letters they receive and welcome learning about the person who is responsible for their renewed gift of sight. Click here to download and read the sample letter at right. If you decide to write, here are some helpful suggestions.
- Keep identities anonymous and confidential. You may include the first names of you, your loved one, and family members.
- Include information that you feel comfortable sharing about you, your loved one, and other family members. This may include occupation, hobbies and interests, or perhaps special things your loved one enjoyed.
- You may include the state in which you live. Avoid street addresses, city names, phone numbers, or names of hospitals or physicians.
- Since the religion of the transplant recipient’s family is unknown, please consider this if you are including religious comments.
- Place your card or letter in an unsealed envelope. Include on a separate sheet of paper your full name, your loved one's full name, and the date of the donation. Please send correspondence to:
SightLife
Attention: Family Services Coordinator
901 Boren Avenue, Suite 810
Seattle, WA 98104
Keep in Mind...
You may or may not receive a response to your card or letter. Some transplant recipients like to wait for their surgery to heal somewhat before writing. Others feel overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude through written communication. It could take several months or even years before they feel comfortable writing.
All letters are reviewed to ensure confidentiality. Your correspondence will be delivered to SightLife, where the Family Services Coordinator will review and then forward it to the recipient family. This process may take a few weeks, so please allow extra time in the event your correspondence is time sensitive.